Just like our Y2K fears at the start of the new millennium, our anguish over an unstaffed Golden Gate Bridge has turned out to be unfounded. Traffic flows just as easily as it did when attendants collected the toll. But one Road Warrior reader wanted to know what happens with tourists and out-of-state visitors who don’t have Fastrak toll tags? 

The question: I’d like to learn about the change in the way the golden gate bridge toll is handled now that cash is no longer accepted. One specific question I’d to know about is what are travelers supposed to do?  I’ve family coming up from LA and will be taking the “scenic” 101 route.  Will they have to buy a fast pass some how? — Stephen Kirschenmann

The answer: They have two choices: paying once they return home or making a one-time payment while they’re visiting. The first is the easiest.

Cameras on the bridge photograph license plates and can use them to find mailing addresses, even for people driving rental cars. Invoices are mailed four or more days after people cross the bridge, failure to pay the $6 toll will result in a $25 penalty and other sanctions.

One-time payments can be made online, by phone or in person up to 30 days beforehand or within 48 hours after they cross the bridge. During week days or from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, your guests can call (877) BAY-TOLL or (415) 486-8655 to make a payment or visit the Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center at 475 The Embarcadero (at Broadway) in San Francisco.

If they’ve got cash, they can visit the self-serve kiosks at RD Wireless, 585 Barham Ave. in Santa Rosa, the Golden Gate Bridge Round House or dozens of other places around the Bay. Click HERE for a map with those locations. Or they can make an online credit card payment by clicking HERE.

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